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festivals · Friday 10 July 2026 · 8:00pm 
Clonduff Carnival 2026
At Clonduff GAC · Clonduff GAC, Hilltown, Co. Armagh
At Clonduff GAC · Clonduff GAC, Hilltown, Co. Armagh
The Clonduff Carnival is one of those community events that punches well above its weight. Organised by Friends of Clonduff and held at the GAC grounds in Hilltown, a small village in the foothills of the Mournes on the south Down - Armagh border, it pulls in crowds from across the north for three nights of live music, dancing, and the kind of atmosphere you only get when a tight-knit GAA club throws a proper do. The 2026 edition runs Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July. It sold out in 2025, so this is not one to leave until the week before.
Each night doors open at 8pm and the line-up is strong. Confirmed acts include Nathan Carter - always a draw in this part of the world - alongside All Folk’d Up on the Saturday and The Highstool Prophets on the Sunday. DJ Magiggs, Gavin Gribben, and Sean Magee are also on the bill across the weekend. Dancing is very much part of the night, not just background noise, and a burger bar runs on site each evening if you need something to keep you going.
The event is 18+ throughout. There is a VIP section limited to 100 guests which includes priority bar access, guaranteed seating and tables, and separate facilities - worth considering if you are coming as a group and want to guarantee your spot. Parking at the venue is free, which is handy given Hilltown’s rural setting.
Clonduff GAC itself has deep roots in the area - the club traces its Gaelic games history to 1887 and has long been a cultural anchor for the parish. The carnival taps into that community spirit without feeling like a dry fundraiser; it is a genuine summer social.
Hilltown sits roughly 20 minutes by road from Newry - take the A25 towards Rathfriland and then the B27 into the village. From Belfast allow around an hour. Public transport to Hilltown is limited, so a car or pre-arranged lift is the practical option. Designated free parking is available on site.
If you are making a weekend of it, the area around south Armagh and the Mourne foothills is worth exploring beyond the carnival. There is more to see in Armagh and across Co. Armagh.
Heading to Clonduff GAC in Armagh? Armagh has plenty more to see. Read the Armagh area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.